Shuckberg is one of the thousands of new names that the Norman Conquest brought to England in 1066. The Shuckberg family lived in Warwickshire which is derived from the Old English word scucca, meaning goblin or demon, and burgh meaning hill. Combined the place meant "hill or mound haunted by an evil spirit." [1]CITATION[CLOSE]Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4) The place name was listed as Socheberge [2]CITATION[CLOSE]Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8) in the Domesday Book of 1086.

Early Origins of the Shuckberg family

The surname Shuckberg was first found in Warwickshire at Upper Shuckburgh, a parish, in the union of Southam, Southam division of the hundred of Knightlow. "Shuckburgh Park, the seat of the ancient family of Shuckburgh. Dugdale supposes that William de Shuckburgh, in the time of King John, was the first who assumed the name; in subsequent reigns several of the family held offices of great trust and authority in the county. The mansion is a spacious and elegant structure, in an extensive park, abounding in deer, but whose woodland recesses do not possess their former beauty, much of the timber having been felled." [3]CITATION[CLOSE]Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print. Prior to the year 1200, their history is obscured but most assume it to be descended from Herlwin, the Domesday tenant of Shuckburgh who held the manor from the Count of Meulan in the year 1086 or from Alwin, the tenant of the other half who held it from Thorkell of Warwick. The Shuckburgh family have held the manor ever since. Today, Shuckburgh Hall is a privately owned country house mansion and has been the home of the Shuckburgh family since the 12th century. "William de Suckberge is presumed to be the first who assumed the name, from Shuckborough Superior, in this county; he was living in the third of John." [4]CITATION[CLOSE]Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.

Early History of the Shuckberg family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Shuckberg research.Another 263 words (19 lines of text) covering the years 1210, 1160, 1650 and 1656 are included under the topic Early Shuckberg History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Shuckberg Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Shuckberg are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Shuckberg include Shuckburgh, Shuckborough, Shuckburg, Shuckberg and others.

Early Notables of the Shuckberg family (pre 1700)

More information is included under the topic Early Shuckberg Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Shuckberg family to the New World and Oceana

Faced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Shuckberg, or a variant listed above: Richard Shuchburgh settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1768.

The Shuckberg Motto

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.